Improvement in rotary engines



5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

13.3.. HARDR.

ROTARY ENGINE. N0.186,34Z. Patented Jan. 16, 1877.

m5 f x 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 D. R. HARDER. ROTARY ENGINE.

Patented Jan.16,1877.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

D.R.HARDER ROTARY ENGINE.

Patented Jan.16,1877.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

D. R. HARDER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Patented 53.11.16, 1877.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGEc DENNIS R. HARDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN ROTARY ENGINES.

Specification forming partvof Letters Patent No. 186,342, dated January 16, 1877; application tiled April 25, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DENNIS R. HARDER, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rotary Engines, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying' drawings, in which- Figure lis an end view of the revolving piston and the shell or steam-chest ot' my improved rotary engine. Fig. 2 is a central cross-section ot' the same, showing the induction of steam in one direction. Fig. 3 is a similar cross-section, showing the engine reversed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal central section oi the same. Fig. 5 is a detailed view of one of the valve-seats, exposing the induction and exhaust ports. Fig. 6 is a top view of one of the valves or sliding rear abutments. Fig. 7 is a side view ofthe said valve. Fig. 8 is a sideview of the cylinder in which the piston is inclosed and the valves are embedded. Fig. 9 is a front view of the starting and reversing lever. Fig. 10 is a cross-section of the cutoff and reversing valve, representing steam cut oft'. Figs. 11 and 13 illustrate the positions ot' the cut-ofic and reversing lever at the two stages of reversion. Figs. 12 and 14 represent the two abovesaid stages through cross sections ofthe cut oi and reversing valve. Fig. 15 is 'a central longitudinal vertical section through the eut-oli' and reverse valve. Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the cutoff and reversing valve when in position, as shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 17 is a top view of the same. Fig. 18 is a side view of the same. Fig. 19 is a cross section of Fig. 18 at the line fr x. Fig. 2() is a cross-section of Fig. 18 at the line y y. Fig. 21 is an enlarged side view of a spring die or slide, whereby the movements of the valves are regulated.

The nature of my invention consists of certain constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, hereinafter described and speciically claimed, whereby a reversible rotary engine of very simple construction, great strength, and great motive power is produced.

The object oi' my invention is to so simplify the means for the induction and eduction of steam, water, or other motive medium, in connection with, and by means of, gates or sliding valves and a reversingvalve, that the 'power for operating the movable parts ofthe machine is reduced to a minimum; that, further, the slightest waste of steam or other motivemedium is avoided; and that the reversion of the engine may be instantly and easily eeeted, at the will of the operator. Another object ot' my invention is to make the said rotary engine adaptable for immediate connections with all manner of ruiminggear or working machinery, thereby avoiding costly constructions for foundations and centering arrangements.

In the drawings, 1 represents a drum or piston, with a hollow axle, 7, to which it may be connected by arms or by the closing up of the end webs. The Said piston has two or more longitudinal -abutments, 2, each with two perpendicular sides, whereby the iirst impact of steam is received either in moving forward or backward, and whereby Ithe crowding of steam, as in inclined abutment-s, is avoided. The periphery of the drum 1 is not entirely circular, but rises slightly at either side and toward the base of each abutment at p, for reasons hereafter explained. The inclosure of the piston consists of two steamtight-tting heads, F, and a concentric cylindrical case, A, which latter has, at three equidistant points of the piston, valveseats A2, i'or the gates or movable valves 8 18 28, which valves are snugly fitted into the said valveseats. rIhe case A is provided with three continuous tlanging rims, A3 A4 A5, ot' which A3 A4 are at the two ends, and A5 in the middle, ot' the case A. An outside cover, A, is tirmly fastened upon the said rims, forming therewith two parallel continuous annular chambers, B B1, which serve as the steam chest proper, and are constantly filled with steam, the one with live steam and the other with exhaust steam, or vice versa, whereby the machine is kept in a uniform state of temperature.

1n practice, the shell, consisting of' the case A and cover A1, is cast in one piece. The valves that play in the valve-seats A2 are provided with depressions 11 12 on each side,

which, in connection with lateral ports D E` at each side ot' the valve-seats, make the said valves regular induction and ednction valves.

The ports D E extend across the width ot"` the piston 1, and are connected in such manner With 'the'annular steamways B Bl that all the ports opening at the same side ot' the valves open also into the same steamway. Consequently one steamway may be made to supply steam to the `right side -of each valve and the other steamway to the left side. The extension ot' each port beyond the middle rim is tunneled out of the metal of the valve-seat and communicates with the proper steamway by means ofahole,D'or E',drilled through the center rim, whereby it is prevented t'rom'conr.

municatingl with the wrong steamway. The The valves 8 18 28 are of like construction, and extend beyond either side of the piston into chambers G in the heads F, where the said extensions are provided with rods g, which end in hooks wherewith they -travel in a groove, 4, one of which is in either side of the piston 1. The valves, by being extended into chambers C beyond the ends ot' the piston, are guided widthwise very accurately, but are not restrained from expanding and contracting lengthwise, and therefore are not liable to bind. The said grooves 4 are circular and concentric with the axis of the machine, except opposite the abutments, whereV they bulge out in the shape of cams 5, for th-c purpose ot' lifting the valves over the' said abutments.

To prevent excessive wear between the hooks ot' the rods g and the groo ves 4 I use a die, 14, surrounded by an oval spring, 16, which latter is tted into the groove 4, and, by means of its great surface and its shape, secures a uniform andeasy passage around the said groove. g are inserted into the said dies, soas to allow a slight swinging motion.

To prevent the steam from bearing against the lower sides of the valves 8 18 28, and creating unnecessary lfriction in the grooves 4, the said valves are provided with vertical holes B2, which admit the steam to the upper side of the valve in the valve-seat, and thereby balance the valve in a radial direction. The depressions 11 l2 on thevalves 8 18 28 are so constructed that when the valves are bearing upon the piston 1 they open into the space between the said piston and the case A, and into the ports I) E, and when they are lit'ted to let the abutments pass the supply and exhaust are completely shut ott'. Thus there are always two of the said valves 8 18 28 open and one closed.

Steam or other motive agent is admitted through a reversing-valve, T', in a shell, T, which is fastened upon the cover A1, and has two ports, one ot' which, f, communicates with the annular 'steam way B, and the other, f', with the stearnway B1. The valve or core T' ofthe said shell is provided with twothreeway channels, U U', branching in the shape ot'a Y, which have, in all, six branches, b b,c c', and d d'5' b c d forming one and b' c' d the other three-way channel. The said channels The hooks of the said rods' are so arranged that their bra nches terminate in pairs, the termination of those pairs being in line with the ports of the valve. Each pair of branches so arranged consists of a branch ot' the first and a branch ot' the second threeway channel, so that each three-way channel 'may alternately serve for induction and eduction. Diametrically opposite the said portsf f' is the induction-port m, with which the branches b or b' ot the two three-way channels are made to communicate. The said two branches b b communicate also and alternate ly with two eduction-ports, e e', in the shell T, and to the right and left ot' the inductionport m. The eduction or exhaust may be collected in a chamber, g', from both ports e e', to be t'rom there conveyed oiit' from the machine through a single outlet, o. The core T' is, by preference, made conical as a common brass cock, which construction has the advantage ot' cheapness and easy adjustability. The described construction ot' the two three-way channels U U' and the shell T with its ports results in the following combinations for induction or eduction: at the junction with the chambers B Bl and their respective portsff' two heterogeneous pairs of branches termi! 'nate and :may alternately communicate with the said ports fj" but at the induction and eduction ports e e' m ot' the valve-shell T two heterogeneous branches terminate and may alternately communicate with the ports e m or e' fm. Thus, by turning the core T', with the branch b, toward the induction -port m the therewith-connected branch d conducts the steam or other motive medium through the .port f into the chamber B, while the branch c is closed, and the engine revolves to the right. The exhaust is then conducted from the chamber B1 through the port f into the branches d' and b', the branch c being closed, and through the exhaust-port e' into the chamber g', to be conveyed away through the outlet o. The hollow axle 7 has its bearings F' in the heads F ot' the inclosure, and it has attached to either end a tace-plate, 10, so that the hubs ot' the said face-plates form a steam-jointwith the ends ot said bearings F'. The said face-plates 10 Serve for making connections with running machinery, theirhubs being properly fastened by screws or otherwise to the axle 7.

Operation: The hand-lever L is in a central position between its extreme positions right and left, whereby all the branches ot' the two threeway channels U U' are closed and the machine is inactive. It' the machine is to revolve to the right, the lever L is turned to the right, as seen in Fig. 1l. Steam or other motive medium is, in the above-described manner, conducted tothe chamber B, whence it enters the ports D in part directly, and in part by means of the openings D', as before stated. According to Figs. 2 and 5 ot the drawings, the valve 8 is elevated by one of the cams 5, and its ports are closed. The valves 18 and. 28 are bearing upon the cylindrical surface of the piston'l, and are both act-ive. The live steam passing through the port E and the depression 12 of the valve 18 enters thesteam-cylinder formed by the case A and the heads F, and forces the abutment 2 toward the valve 28, which permitsthe steam behind the said abutment to pass through the depression 1l, and thence through the port D into the chamber B1, whence it is conducted through the branch d of the threeway channel U', into the chamber g and through the outlet o. The steam passing -through the port E and the depression l2 ofy the valve 28 propels the other abutment 2, which is just passing under the valve 8 toward the valve 18, while the valve 18 exhausts the steam on the other side of the said abutment.V When one of the abutments 2 comes near one of the said valves', it is elevated by means of one of the cams 5 sufficiently to let the abutment pass; its respective ports are thereby closed, the next valve continues the exhaust ofthe said valve, and the steam from the preceding valve continues to propel it. After the said abutment has traveled a small distance farther, the cam 5 moves the elevated valve down upon the circumference of the piston, and the said abutment is propelled by the steam induced through it. At the time the said valve touches the piston, the preceding` valve becomes elevated by the other cam 5, and it becomes inactive, and operates in the same manner as above described. As the valves become elevated, they still bear upon the rising' circumference p of the piston, until both depressions 1l 12 are closed, when the now inactive valve leaves the piston. When thek valves descend again, they begin to bear upon the piston by means of the rise p in its circumference just before the depressions ll 12 become opened.

This operation of the valves has many great advantages. 1n the first place all corners and sudden or steep inclinations in the operating groove et are avoided, and the valves 8 18 28 therefore work without jerks or noise, and without heavy strain upon their bearings. Secondly, there is absolutely no waste of steam or other motive medium, because induction and eduction from the saine valve begins only after there is a perfect separation of one from the other by the contact of the valve with the piston; when the induction and eduction of one valve is stopped the separation of the valve from the piston follows.

The described operation of the valves enables me to work ymy machine with an unvariable pressure-that is to say, both abutments are constantly propelled by live steam, as the inactivity of one valve is instantaneously followed by the supply from the preceding and the exhaust of the following valve. The impact of live steam from the following valve is not perceptible, as the said following valve only continues the unfinished labor of the preceding valve; the machine is, thereact the said pressure of the live steam, and Y relieve the friction between valve and valveseat.

The machine can be easilyconnected with other machinery, as the hollow axle 7 admits of the insertion of a shaft of very large diameter, while the face-plates 10 serve for fastening-levers, clutches, wheels, and similar devices, so that a shaft to be driven need not fit the bore ofthe axle, and might also pass entirely through the machine. Wheels and other connecting means are fastened directly to the face-plates 7, and do not require extra shafting.

The machine with its outtlt takes very little room. lt requires no dy wheel, because it works continually with equal pressure, and it does not require a very strong and ponderous foundation, as it is not subjected to jerks and thumps from irregular action of the parts caused by irregularities in the motive power. 1f the piston lis driven by outside power, my rotary engine can be converted into a rotary pump.

Under my construction all the operating parts of the engine are inclosed within the case, and are not in any way exposed, and all packing for outside connections is avoided.

I am aware that there are rotary engines parts of which show a construction similar to that of my invention; but such engines lack either in arrangement or combination of parts, so that their operation is not as perfect as is required. In my machine each valve operates--tl e., supplies steam on one side and exhuusts steam on the other side until it leaves the surface of the revolving piston. As soon as one valve leaves the surface .of the piston, and it therefore becomes inactive, its own supply-steam and that of the preceding valve unite, and continue to propel the abutment without change of pressure, which the exhaust steam of the above-mentioned inactive valve commingles with the-exhaust steam of the succeeding valve, and is exhausted thereby.

In other rotary engines of the same class the supply-steam is entirely closed until the raised valve or gate touches the surface of the piston again, or until the abutment has passed the thickness of the valve, or until the thickness of metal between the port of the valve and its bottom has been moved into the steam room or cylinder; and there is no rotary engine in which the raising of the gates is not connected with a temporary interruption of supply, and consequently a variation of pressure upon the abutment, so far as I am aware.

` Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l, In a rotary engine the revolving piston 1, having a hollow axle, 7, and faceplates l0, substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

' 2. In a rotary engine, the cylindrical cover A, valve-chests A2, having the ports D E, extending their whole length, and two chambers, B B1, for induction and eduction, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the pin g, the die 14, the spring 16, and the groove 4, constructed and operating substantially as set forth.

4. The valve-seat T, having ports m e e and ff', and the valve or core T', having two threeway channels, U U', constructed and operating substantially as set torth.

5. The combination of the chamber g and outlet o with the valve shell or scat T and the valve or core T', substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In the cover A, 'provided with chambers grooves 4, abutments 2, and eccentric surfaces v p, all constructed and arranged to secure an uninterrupted supply of live steam to both abutments, and also to secure an uninterrupted passage for the exhaust steam, substantially as set forth. v

' DENNIS R. HARDER.

Witnesses ALFRED H. GORDON, HENRY F. VALLETTE. 

